NGOs

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Involved with Coral Reefs

Introduction

NGOs that work to conserve reefs focus primarily on Protection (preventing existing reefs from being destroyed), Rehabilitation (restoring reefs that have been damaged directly or indirectly by human activity) and Research (understanding the nature of Coral Reef ecosystems so that they may be better protected in the future).

Protection

• Coral Reef Alliance: International organization working to promote non-destructive reef use
  • Provides Micro-grants to local groups working to protect nearby reefs
  • Awareness programs in critical areas
  • Marine Protected Areas (flagship program)
  • Promotes Recreational Tourism
• Reef Relief Founders

Research

• Operation Wallacea
  • Four setup strategy
    • Ecosystem assessment (diversity/function)
    • Monitor Ecosystem change
    • Monitor socioeconomic change
    • Establish and monitor management programs
• Carmabi Foundation: Caribbean based

Rehabilitation

• Reef Ball Foundation: produces concrete 'Reef Balls' that serve as anchors for future reef growth
  • Various sizes to suit varied locales
  • Over 500,000 Reef Balls in 60 countries
  • Used to rehabilitate Mangrove Swamps, prevent beach erosion
• SECORE
  • Coral breeding
  • Substrate tiles for settlement
  • Acrapora restoration in Curacao
• Coral Restoration Foundation